Confusion mounts due to unconfirmed information; authorities dismiss it as having "no scientific basis."

The recent spread of the 'July Japan Catastrophe' rumor has led to a wave of cancellations from tourists in neighboring countries who had planned trips to Japan, putting the local tourism industry on high alert. Particularly among travelers from culturally sensitive regions like Taiwan and Hong Kong, where Feng Shui is influential, anxiety has escalated, causing a sharp decline in flight bookings to Japan and resulting in tangible losses.

The Hokkoku Shimbun, a local Japanese newspaper, reported on the 26th that ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, experienced a complete cancellation of group accommodation bookings from Taiwan between July 2nd and 5th. The hotel stated that its usual Saturday occupancy rate of 80-90% has plummeted to only 50% for the Saturday designated as 'July 5th.' Given that Taiwanese tourists account for 18% of all foreign visitors to Ishikawa Prefecture, the impact of this rumor on hotel revenue is expected to be significant. Kanazawa's famous Kenroku-en garden also saw a clear decrease in foreign visitors last month, with Hong Kong tourists down 22% and Taiwanese tourists down 6% compared to the same month last year.

This rumor was triggered by the manga 'My Future I Saw,' by Tatsuki Ryo, who is known for predicting the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The manga mentioned a major catastrophe occurring on 'July 5, 2025.' However, as the rumor spread widely, author Tatsuki Ryo directly clarified in her autobiographical essay 'An Angel's Last Will,' published on the 15th, that the specific date of 'July 5' was hastily included as a promotional phrase by the publisher, and that "nothing will happen on that day." Yet, she has not entirely retracted her previous prophecy that 'July 2025' will be a significant turning point related to a major catastrophe.

In response, Japanese authorities are stepping up vigilance against the spread of false information. Ryuichi Nomura, Director-General of the Japan Meteorological Agency, firmly warned in a press conference on the 13th that "it is impossible to predict earthquakes by specifying the date, place, and magnitude with current scientific knowledge, and such predictive information is false." The local travel industry is urging Japanese authorities to provide clear explanations regarding the rumor and prevent further damage. This situation clearly demonstrates the negative impact of unconfirmed information on society as a whole and once again highlights the importance of accurate information dissemination and the role of credible official institutions.